tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59588124432602667772018-03-05T13:51:38.596-08:00Transomjmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-82085637816090950782015-02-18T20:12:00.001-08:002015-02-18T20:12:15.714-08:00Pura Vida!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xNXYqyV_JE/VOViWZucYbI/AAAAAAAAe2A/w74S2iD7Vjg/s1600/IMG_20150218_101106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4xNXYqyV_JE/VOViWZucYbI/AAAAAAAAe2A/w74S2iD7Vjg/s1600/IMG_20150218_101106.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><br />In 30 minutes, a shuttle is taking me to LAX where I'll take a red eye to Juan Santamaria airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. I'm pretty excited. I'll be there for 11 nights and 12 days and I'll be joined with a traveling buddy down there. We've both never been and I haven't seen her since we met originally at Burning Man last year. The main reason we are going is for this event called Envision. 4 days of yoga, music, permaculture and eco-conscious living. We'll be camping there and for the other time we'll be hiking, enjoying the waterfalls, the various flora and fauna, volcanoes and of course, the beaches. I may not be able to update too much but during some downtime and with a little wifi, you'll hear from me. People still read this thing right? &nbsp;Here's the link to the festival if you're curious. <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;http://www.2015.envisionfestival.com/</span></div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-44567069826008136472014-04-01T09:58:00.000-07:002014-04-01T09:58:00.947-07:00Delhi to London to Los Angeles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaDVkd0xRBc/UzrpuJ3BUlI/AAAAAAAAFTg/MQigM8yQ0G0/s1600/IMG_20140325_090041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iaDVkd0xRBc/UzrpuJ3BUlI/AAAAAAAAFTg/MQigM8yQ0G0/s1600/IMG_20140325_090041.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQwyLZ6o5QA/UzrpuMqwiYI/AAAAAAAAFTg/GsdR0X1KDi0/s1600/IMG_20140325_073319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQwyLZ6o5QA/UzrpuMqwiYI/AAAAAAAAFTg/GsdR0X1KDi0/s1600/IMG_20140325_073319.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tszzCJNymI/UzrpuGlTvQI/AAAAAAAAFTg/iXlfC8SJPmc/s1600/IMG_20140321_155319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tszzCJNymI/UzrpuGlTvQI/AAAAAAAAFTg/iXlfC8SJPmc/s1600/IMG_20140321_155319.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; Well, I've been back home to Los Angeles for a whole week now and the feeling of India is still inside me. It's a mixture of frenetic energy to do more with my days but also find time to slow down, listen and appreciate what is around me. India taught me that I don't need much to be happy. I've always known that and my lifestyle bears that out but still, it's good to be reminded of it every now and again. &nbsp;It's funny, I was driving for the first time in a month and didn't mind that I was sitting in traffic for nearly 30 minutes on the freeway. I laughed because compared to India, this traffic was quiet, calm, the road was smooth and paved, cars moved in one direction, and there were no cows to dodge on the freeway! I appreciated this traffic for what it wasn't. But that's not the only thing I got out of being in India. I was once again reminded that to a large extent, your quality of life depends on the people you choose to surround yourself with. In India, I made friends easily with natives and foreigners alike because the experience was new and sometimes you are forced into situations without the benefit of thinking too much. Being back made me realize that I made a lot of right decisions with my friends here. Everyone was eager to hear about my trip just as I was excited to hear about what I missed being away. It's nice to know you can go away for a month and when you see your friends again, pick up like you never missed a beat.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp; Back to India, I was glad that I got to test my theory about volunteering and doing good. I raised a good amount of money from friends and family to spread to people in need on the trip and I'm happy to say it was a success. There's a popular theory that says you shouldn't help those in need because it only makes them dependent on you and that they'll never learn to do things on their own. Well, what if those people are some of the poorest kids you'll ever meet who only want an education without being beaten by their teachers? Or what if they are old men on the verge of passing into eternity, who only ask for a soothing massage or help getting dressed, so they can live out their days with dignity? Or even still, mentally handicapped children who have been abandoned by their families, who only want to sit in your lap as they listen to music? I say those people who don't believe in charity, have never been on the receiving end. It's well worth it to give to those who cannot do what we take for granted. Without being too preachy, I'll end it here and I encourage those of you who are reading to get involved in your own community. You don't have to go half way around the world to find someone who needs a hand. There's probably someone in your own family who could benefit from your time and care. If not now, when?<br />&nbsp; Wow, didn't mean to wrap up my trip with a call to action but you know what, get out there and do it!<br /><br />jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-81717418638297695772014-03-23T01:12:00.001-07:002014-03-23T15:10:42.746-07:00Delhi to Rishikesh & wrap up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVOhRY6ZW54/Uy6PtLTNNUI/AAAAAAAAFLI/GSRSXO9YTjU/s3200/IMG_20140320_114624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gVOhRY6ZW54/Uy6PtLTNNUI/AAAAAAAAFLI/GSRSXO9YTjU/s3200/IMG_20140320_114624.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE4fvj6JJTU/Uy6Pr18GkpI/AAAAAAAAFLA/dVn5BmC8H3I/s3200/IMG_20140320_201922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PE4fvj6JJTU/Uy6Pr18GkpI/AAAAAAAAFLA/dVn5BmC8H3I/s3200/IMG_20140320_201922.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRar80Q1xDc/Uy6P64kuDMI/AAAAAAAAFLY/B7ELg5Kg3NQ/s3200/IMG_20140322_171327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CRar80Q1xDc/Uy6P64kuDMI/AAAAAAAAFLY/B7ELg5Kg3NQ/s3200/IMG_20140322_171327.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5wIxXuZkH8/Uy6QCgciKSI/AAAAAAAAFLg/h9uvBjKBD1I/s3200/IMG_20140323_000201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N5wIxXuZkH8/Uy6QCgciKSI/AAAAAAAAFLg/h9uvBjKBD1I/s3200/IMG_20140323_000201.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"I'm sittin' in a railway station, got a ticket for my destination... Mmm, mmm"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Actually, it's the 5th floor of Terminal 3 at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, and this lounge is the only place I can pay for WiFi. I've got my ticket in hand to London and after 20 hours there, I'll be on a flight back to Los Angeles. Probably won't have a lot of time or access so I thought I'd write a little before I got home.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 days ago, I spent a furiously hot day in Delhi and after landing from Kolkata, I took a train to another train to the Yamuna Bank Metro Station, where I walked under the bridge and found Mr. Sharma and his school under the bridge. The kids remembered me and later I found out they've been asking about me. I played some more songs and sang for them and threw the frisbee around. &nbsp;Nitish, a 23 year old college student and also teacher there said that many kids come to this school because it's the one safe place they can learn without being beaten. One kid said, he didn't mind being beaten, but he at least wanted to learn and at the regular schools, teachers often won't even show up to teach, and when they do, teach very little. So, with the help of some donors, I was able to make a large cash contribution to the school so the kids, all 97 of then, can have their own backpacks, and also t-shirts they can wear in the summer when the weather is hottest. &nbsp;I think they were even gonna have a special logo printed on them of the school. I was going to get them school supplies but they had enough. They needed backpacks and clothes and I was happy to help. They have a plan to sprout more supplemental schools in other poor areas but it takes time and money. Maybe in the future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day was a bumpy 7 hour drive on bad roads to Rishikesh. &nbsp;I'm talking bad bad roads. Good thing we left at 5am otherwise I think we might still be on them! I arrived in Rishikesh with &nbsp;full day ahead of me. I immediately wanted to see the Beatles ashram. It was interesting to see the run down place. Lots of Beatles graffiti everywhere and I kept hunting for locations based on old photos the Beatles might have been in. I think I found some. There were some great old egg looking domes on the rooftops and you climb a 25ft tall ladder and down into the top and there was a small chamber with the most crystal clear acoustics. I chanted out some Om's and it echoed and after a few you could've sworn I &nbsp;was in there with a half dozen people. I can imagine this place in its day. I saw the sun set against the hills and over the Ganges and retired early. In the morning, I set out to find a man named Mooji. I didn't know who he was but a man from my small town in Hawaii that was in Rishikesh, told me to see him. Jamaican born and raised in London, Mooji is a guru of great reknown. I sat 4th row center on a flat pillow and he took questions from the over 400 people there. Questions about love, freedom, time, peace, etc. I couldn't sum up his words to do them justice but I found it highly illuminating and very entertaining.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oops, just looking at the time, I have to rush to catch my plane. Consider this chapter 1 of the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-11675695184699460402014-03-20T11:12:00.000-07:002014-03-21T06:58:01.224-07:00Holi in Kolkata and More<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSNTgDqx0mY/UyskA3PoweI/AAAAAAAAEsk/Omcnzo7odX4/s3200/Screenshot_2014-03-16-19-26-00~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSNTgDqx0mY/UyskA3PoweI/AAAAAAAAEsk/Omcnzo7odX4/s3200/Screenshot_2014-03-16-19-26-00~2.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-XWKmUNJuo/UyskMYLlcsI/AAAAAAAAEss/KywugxgQrxk/s3200/IMG_20140318_233015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-XWKmUNJuo/UyskMYLlcsI/AAAAAAAAEss/KywugxgQrxk/s3200/IMG_20140318_233015.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uj1qPHmZg0U/UysktUnuqWI/AAAAAAAAEs0/H6u1GHQ-N_U/s3200/IMG_20140319_145413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uj1qPHmZg0U/UysktUnuqWI/AAAAAAAAEs0/H6u1GHQ-N_U/s3200/IMG_20140319_145413.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSUTghTHcYE/Uysk3s4GtzI/AAAAAAAAEs8/mFG1YS1GHG0/s3200/IMG_20140320_060853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rSUTghTHcYE/Uysk3s4GtzI/AAAAAAAAEs8/mFG1YS1GHG0/s3200/IMG_20140320_060853.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Holi Festival in simple terms is a celebration of good over evil. Depending on who you ask you'll get different answers of who is who because the history and meaning has evolved over time. For me, it was a hectic morning parade with live drumming, photographers galore, men spraying water from their rooftops, kids using squirt guns with bright liquid hues, and hundreds of people jammed tight in the streets spreading color all over each others faces and body. I came prepared with 5 bags of gulal, the name for the vegetable starch dye. Pink, purple, orange, green and yellow would be my color weapons of choice as I smeared it in hair, on faces and foreheads, around necks and even on backs. We walked along the tight corridors around Sudder St., throwing the dye on everyone. What I gave, I also received and each time the simple words "happy holi" went along with it. It was a lot of fun and good thing I pre-soaked my hair and face in coconut oil to absorb the color or otherwise I'd still be scrubbing it off! America does a version of this festival with a fun run attached. I'll withhold judgment on it until I experience that too but I doubt it comes close to the thrill of the real thing.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My work at the Mother Teresa hospitals was very rewarding and instead of going into too much detail, I'll offer up some anecdotes. &nbsp;For 4 days in the mornings, I went to Daya Dan, a home for physically and mentally handicapped children from about 4-16yrs or so. Starting in the laundry room, we washed everything by hand and then took it to the roof to hang out to dry. &nbsp;After that we helped the kids with their classes. For older kids it was learning some English and basic math. But for the younger kids, we did physical therapy and light and sound therapy. Helping them use a walker, brace themselves, stand, hand coordination, that kind of stuff. One small child who was blind took a liking to me and would end up sleeping in my lap when we went into a dark room to listen to soft music while gentle lights flashed around a mirror ball. I'm not sure if he could see much of anything, but he seemed to enjoy the music and resting in my arms. &nbsp;I was told that some of these kids were orphans and also abandoned by their families when they saw what issues they had. But here, the Sisters created a new family and thanks to the volunteers, an almost endless supply of laps to sleep in, hands to high five and people who can see the value and hope in every child.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My time at Kali Ghat, the home for the destitute and the dying was also rewarding and I gotta say, I'm glad I took this ukulele with me. I got to play for the men and their faces lit up and a few danced and tried to sing or whistle along. I was also asked to play for the old women and one Sister told me that the patients got the most exercise in a long time when I played and they did a conga line around the bed strewn room. But, it wasn't all fun and games. I changed a lot of soiled pants, dressed many festering wounds, administered meds to reluctant men and even had food thrown at me from a grumpy Gus who just wanted to go home. But sadly, he had no home. I tried not to take any of it personal and put myself in their spot. It was humbling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm back in Delhi now, I'll have updates soon on the school under the bridge I was helping out and also update you on my last two days here that I plan to spend in Rishikesh. White water rafting, yoga, swimming in the Ganges and enjoying the foothills of the Himalayas should be an ideal way to end this trip. Until then, take care.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-27411368130093811752014-03-16T09:49:00.000-07:002014-03-17T06:42:53.776-07:00Varanasi to Kolkata<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNCFzd_Gw10/UyXG0OKDj6I/AAAAAAAAEgM/w_puOeYlIMM/s1600/IMG_20140316_174401~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FNCFzd_Gw10/UyXG0OKDj6I/AAAAAAAAEgM/w_puOeYlIMM/s1600/IMG_20140316_174401~2.jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgZqGiZ40Ug/UyXHAsDHU7I/AAAAAAAAEgU/-C-WP1TSO8M/s1600/IMG_20140315_184301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jgZqGiZ40Ug/UyXHAsDHU7I/AAAAAAAAEgU/-C-WP1TSO8M/s1600/IMG_20140315_184301.jpg" height="320" width="285" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqJEj-y4Avk/UyXHc3BlEmI/AAAAAAAAEgc/NNabFBRU1zQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1395027899219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqJEj-y4Avk/UyXHc3BlEmI/AAAAAAAAEgc/NNabFBRU1zQ/s1600/PhotoGrid_1395027899219.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prfP9xs3MBQ/UyXHlaKJ8OI/AAAAAAAAEgk/8pcJViSOUfk/s1600/IMG_20140313_163357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prfP9xs3MBQ/UyXHlaKJ8OI/AAAAAAAAEgk/8pcJViSOUfk/s1600/IMG_20140313_163357.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My train from Varanasi to Kolkata was delayed by 8 hours and instead of leaving at 8pm, the Chambal Express departed just after 4am. To pass the time in the station, I struck up many conversations with people, including looking at an Indian wedding photo book from a photographer, being invited to Patna to stay with a college student, and making some side Rupees by selling glow stick bracelets I originally brought to give away but found that grown men will happily pay for them if given the chance. I sold them all out and had people follow me asking for more. I was never good at selling things, but around midnight, I turned into Ron Popeil (young kids, Google him). With my new found riches, about $3, but a lot in India, I was off to grab a nice cold lassi or two. After that, I still had four hours left and looking around, I walked up the ramp that leads from the concourse to the train platform and took out my ukulele. Originally just playing for myself in the corner of the ramp, I noticed some people lingered and stayed to listen. So, I did what any natural showman would do and turned around and belted out a few songs. &nbsp;It was after the second song that I put down a few Rupees in change in front of me so people would know I was playing for money. People soon followed, dropping change and adding to the small pile. I should say, sometimes I sing with a lot of fervor and I guess the locals weren't used to that style. I soon had a crowd five deep on all sides, many with cellphones in hand pointed straight at me, recording bits of Radiohead, Willie Nelson, and Beirut. &nbsp;It was my 6th or so song in when I noticed it was hard for people to get up the ramp because it was filled with people listening to me. A commotion was heard coming down the ramp and it was a police man. He cleared a path with his club and he yelled something at me and waved his club. I took that as my cue to exit and I picked up my meager earnings. &nbsp;The rest of the time waiting was slow and exhausting but at 4am, I found my sleeper bunk and woke up in Kolkata.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I arrived at night and found a guest house near Sudder Street. In the morning while eating a masala dosa and finishing my third lassi, a young German backpacker walked into the restaurant and we struck up a conversation. He was 20 years old and on the 5th month of his 7 month trip around Asia and Europe. &nbsp;At 3pm, I had my volunteer orientation at the Mother house on AJC Bose Road. &nbsp;It was buzzing with young and old volunteers and people from all over: Japan, Spain, France, Korea, Italy, etc. I met Eric from Oregon, Victor from NYC, Christina from NYC, and Kiersten from Topanga Canyon. We all made fast friends and had a field day on our day off Thursday. Playing Frisbee in Maiden Park and watching a cricket game was a lot of fun. We all got along so well, you would've thought we'd known each other for years.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next day I went to mass at 6am with the girls. &nbsp;Partly so I could walk with them that early on the streets and also curious to see where Mother Teresa went for mass. After that, we had a meager breakfast from the sisters that consisted of plain bread, bananas and chai tea. My first place of volunteering was Prem Dan, a home for the destitute and the dying. There were about 200 men and women there and they were separated. My jobs included bagging coconuts, serving water and lunch to the hundred or so men of all various ages and ranges of health, and cleaning up. I shook a lot of hands, danced and told one man I'd get him a rosary. Still looking for one! That lasted from 8-12:30, I came back to my guest house, cleaned my clothes in a bucket, set them out to dry and closed my eyes on my bed for 20minutes. Awaking, I took off for Kali Ghat, my next place of service and the original home started by Mother Teresa for the destitute and dying. This was different, 48 men, most of them in ill health and very old and close to the end. I shook hands at first but also massaged the ones sore from arthritis or age. Feeling their papery hands made me wonder what these men had gone through in their lives that lead them here. I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty emotional for me seeing them. I held one frail man against my chest for what seemed liked 10 minutes or more. It seemed he hadn't been hugged in years. &nbsp;Massaging tough feet, bony legs, and helping another take pills was all part of the job. We served them dinner, cleaned up and I left feeling like I had done some good, even if it was soothing worn out hands. There's a reason you're not allowed to take pictures in the homes. Many are tough places to see and not all happy. But we try to make them so. I'll be here for 4 more days, many stay weeks or even months volunteering. &nbsp;Maybe that'll be me someday. Okay, long one this time, thanks for reading and I'll detail the other volunteer places and my time at Holi festival for the next installment.</div><br /></div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-73578860257871805232014-03-10T03:56:00.000-07:002014-03-10T03:59:01.628-07:00Agra to Varanasi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERr2hpegNsU/Ux2WQxAn8_I/AAAAAAAAET0/RXNfmlENsGA/s1600/IMG_20140308_124621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERr2hpegNsU/Ux2WQxAn8_I/AAAAAAAAET0/RXNfmlENsGA/s1600/IMG_20140308_124621.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrzfi-nIPF4/Ux2VkZVf7GI/AAAAAAAAETo/xDyLiU4NY4U/s1600/IMG_20140310_140215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zrzfi-nIPF4/Ux2VkZVf7GI/AAAAAAAAETo/xDyLiU4NY4U/s1600/IMG_20140310_140215.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAS9EDcuOZw/Ux2Ve7_p74I/AAAAAAAAETg/26nZFFdo1jU/s1600/IMG_20140308_062754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAS9EDcuOZw/Ux2Ve7_p74I/AAAAAAAAETg/26nZFFdo1jU/s1600/IMG_20140308_062754.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>The over night train from Agra to Varanasi went well. &nbsp;I slept top bunk, three high and the fellow next to me was Osamu from Japan. It's funny, the conversations and quick relationships that happen while traveling. I spoke what Japanese I knew and we exchanged Facebook info and took photos together. I arrived in Varanasi very tired from lack of good sleep on the train. &nbsp;Due to an overbooking at my hotel, I was taken to another and even better one right on the banks of the Ganges down by Ossi River. The hotel was booked with South Americans who follow Paramahansa Yogananda. The fellow whose autobiography I happen to be reading. I made friends with them and we traveled to a Shiva temple outside of town for a Pooja and I also joined them in Sarnath at deer Park. But the real reason I was here was to help out Bal Ashram. I played music and sang at the school and with the support of some special donors, was able to purchase new bedding and basic everyday supplies to the 25 orphans they serve. The bedding was much needed and now the kids won't have to share blankets, sheets and the like. Thank you to those who contributed! I'm off to Kolkata on another night train in a few hours. I'll be at the Mother Teresa hospitals for a good week. I'll keep you up to date on what I'll be doing there. I've heard so many stories but won't know until I get there. I enjoyed my stay in Varanasi. I think I'm getting the hang of India and I look forward to my time in the City of Joy, Kolkata.</div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-37059026100670264642014-03-03T17:33:00.000-08:002014-03-05T04:01:22.237-08:00Jaipur to Pushkar to Agra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqQQcLB_6ew/UxcRot5r8MI/AAAAAAAADxo/joxmupIdrVg/s1600/IMG_20140302_074147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pqQQcLB_6ew/UxcRot5r8MI/AAAAAAAADxo/joxmupIdrVg/s1600/IMG_20140302_074147.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-df_Pe6GXHNs/UxcSAGFfR-I/AAAAAAAADxw/mlluqQJC-As/s1600/IMG_20140305_101530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-df_Pe6GXHNs/UxcSAGFfR-I/AAAAAAAADxw/mlluqQJC-As/s1600/IMG_20140305_101530.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><br />Having not been able to get rail tickets because they sell out weeks in advance, my other option was to hire a driver to take me around. This has been a fortuitous turn of events as my driver, let's call him Jacob, has turned into a good friend on the road. He's taken me off the beaten path to introduce me to locals and other charities, and I've made monetary contributions to the textile company Vee Kay Enterprise that teaches blind children in Jaipur how to make handicrafts. Jacob is from Agra and so is his wife and family. I reckon he's in his late 50s to early 60s. He's invited me for tea to meet them all and also visit some more schools and places in need. I think it helps tremendously that I've brought my ukulele, as it's an instrument few have seen here and has let me inside more than a few places. I'm minutes away from leaving Pushkar and about to embark on the 400+km drive to Agra. It's 7am and when we've made good time, we'll stop for tea. I met a Dutch girl yesterday and we hiked the two mountains that cradle Pushkar and walked the bazaars together. Nice to have some company on the journey and she appreciated the male presence as a lone female traveler. So far I'm doing great, my next big volunteering venture will be in 3 days in Varanasi so stay tuned. After that it's a night train to Kolkata for a week or more in the Mother Theresa hospitals. Thanks for following me on this journey.</div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-74267193734035301232014-02-27T19:45:00.000-08:002014-03-05T03:57:38.711-08:00Delhi to Jaipur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQIPVd5aFHo/UxcRGNnCAOI/AAAAAAAADxg/MpSVVrZkOrU/s1600/IMG_20140228_104435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQIPVd5aFHo/UxcRGNnCAOI/AAAAAAAADxg/MpSVVrZkOrU/s1600/IMG_20140228_104435.jpg" height="320" width="236" /></a></div><br />What can be said of Delhi that hasn't already been said? It's busy, it's buzzy, and it has every scent and texture on earth. The city motto should be the sound of a horn because it's everywhere. No matter if you're on a promenade, a street, an alley or even a sidewalk. Someone is always right behind you. In a city of 22 million people, it makes sense, but for a kid who grew up in a small town in Hawaii, it's a little staggering. I had some communication issues getting in touch with the teacher under the bridge Rajesh Sharma, but the hotel concierge helped me out and I'm on my way to meet him and see his school under the overpass of a highway. I know I'll be back in Delhi in a few weeks so this'll give me a chance to find out what kind of supplies he might need and we can go out shopping for them. I also &nbsp;am very aware that my presence might be seen as a foreigner trying to meddle into his practice and I'm treading lightly so as not to offend and think I can solve all of these problems in a day. &nbsp;I'm hoping to offer my self and services in any way I can and perhaps play a little music on the ukulele for them too! Okay, I'm off!</div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-63716834721058729162014-02-24T09:46:00.000-08:002014-02-24T12:45:59.109-08:00India: A beginners journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KX3gLJeSnbE/Uwt83GjaBfI/AAAAAAAADvM/FpCLKhfzUZg/s1600/DSCN8473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KX3gLJeSnbE/Uwt83GjaBfI/AAAAAAAADvM/FpCLKhfzUZg/s400/DSCN8473.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; In about 10 hours, I'll be on plane to India. Well, technically I'll be making a stop over in London for a few hours, but Delhi is the final destination. The above photo is all that I'm taking with me to last me for an entire month and it all fits in that backpack. Take a good look, most of it is not coming back. There's crayons, toy animals, glow sticks, disposable cleaning wipes, rubber gloves, hospital masks, two first aid kits, Clif Bars, soaps, pens. I also got some fun stuff in there too. A ukulele, kazoo, harmonica, a mini frisbee that lights up, a GoPro camera, a book on Paramahansa Yogananda. Those I plan on keeping!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp; I've been asked many times, why India, why now? Well, there's more than one reason and not all of them are easy to explain. A big reason is that I love adventure and I love to travel. &nbsp;I wanted to go to a place where I don't easily blend in to my surroundings. I'm also going because I love to volunteer and there I'll be offering my help in a hospital in Kolkata, an orphanage in Varanasi and a 'school' in Delhi. I'm sure while I'm there that I'll find other places to offer myself. I'm very grateful for the outpouring of love and support from so many of my friends and family. Many of you reading this have donated to a fund that I will then use to further help those in need. I thank you for that and I'm humbled you've given so much trust (and $) in me to see your donations through. I guess in a way, although you can't see it in the photo, you're also there. I'll be taking all of you with me on this journey and this blog is just one small way for me to invite you along for the ride. Shall we begin?</div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-36566955834191448512011-06-22T12:38:00.000-07:002011-06-22T12:59:17.685-07:00Back in Nairobi..but not for long.Safely ensconced on the 1st floor of the Kenya Comfort Hotel after a long drive from the Mara Leisure Camp in the Masai Mara territory. The last week has been spectacular and really, photos would serve my words better but here goes. We drove to Lake Nakuru in the central part of Kenya to look primarily at pelicans, storks and flamingos but were also surprised with heards of zebras, loping giraffes, gazelles a leaping, rhinos sleeping, baboons a scratching and just about every kind of wild bird you could think of. We stayed in the Flamingo Hill Hotel and it was great, huge tents, nice pool, great staff and delicious meals. I've been struck a little by the traveling in between the towns and most of what I see, in fact, all of it is so polluted and poverty stricken that I feel a little guilty to be living it up 3km away or even less. I tell myself that I didn't cause it and I shouldn't feel guilty but I want to help and there's just so much of it: pollution being the main thing, I've never seen so much garbage just out, everywhere. You name it, I've seen it clogging streams, lining walking paths, flying in the breeze, swaying in the trees. It's all consuming and even in the National Parks there are plastic bottles on the roadside, bags in the lake etc. But, the people I've met have been so generous and eager to show me their world that I overlook the downsides when I can. My arm was in a perpetual waving motion the whole drive from Naro Moru to Lake Nakuru, just waving at all the kids I passed on the roadside. Bright and beaming faces just make me smile too.<br /> After Lake Nakuru we went to Masai Mara and spent 3 nights at the Mara Leisure Camp. The reserve is huge and we had a local guide, Kenyua who has been great at driving the rocky, muddy and uneven roads here. We spotted every animal under the sun here. Cheetahs, leopards, and lions to be the main ones. We came upon a resting lion and his lioness after a heavy mating session and they looked very, what's the word, content, if you know what I mean ;)<br /> I've been lucky to be with a great group of people, I'm the youngest by about 15-20 years but my mom has been great and I got to play my ukulele for our chefs and hostel employees in Naro Moru. James, the man who works for the re-forestation project at Mt. Kenya asked me to play Silver Dagger 6 times in a row for him because he liked it so much. Who would've thought an old folk/Joan Baez song I heard and loved would resonate all the way here. He was also nice enough to be my kazoo holder while I played it and sang Ring of Fire. That was a crowd favorite!<br /> Well, tonight in Nairobi and tomorrow we fly to Mombasa and drive up the coast to Malindi for 2 nights. Supposed to be beautiful beaches there and also the navigational site of Vasco deGama from 1498. Oh, and it's also a huge sex tourism destination and my guide book says to be weary of looking at anyone for too long, oh, and women who wear blue jeans!<br /> Updates in a few days if I can pry myself away from the great experience I'm having.jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-51649470850136405072011-06-16T06:53:00.000-07:002011-06-16T06:56:11.254-07:00Fun in KenyaI'm in Nanyuki near the base of Mt. Kenya and I am having the best time. Will post lots of pictures when I get home but so far we've re-forested near an area that had wildfires and we've painted classrooms at a primary school. Making lots of friends and singing songs with the kids. Going to Masai Mara reservation tomorrow.jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-22432384443557544692011-06-09T17:21:00.000-07:002011-06-09T17:57:10.067-07:00Going to Kenya!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z23xBnZN2KU/TfFrXKkHQFI/AAAAAAAABq8/JAbXHIeYxxk/s1600/DSCN0183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z23xBnZN2KU/TfFrXKkHQFI/AAAAAAAABq8/JAbXHIeYxxk/s320/DSCN0183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616388256024707154" /></a><br />Hello World! <br /><br />It's been a long time since I've written in this blog and public outcry has demanded that I update it for my latest trip which I am taking this Saturday June 11th to Kenya. The trip was sprung on me a few weeks ago by my Mom and a Tom Moe, no not the Olympic Downhill Skier, but my old roommate on our last bike trip together to Croatia in 2008. Tom has been to Kenya about 5 times and is taking me, my mom and a group of his old college buddies from Purdue. He's about 53 and lives in Denver as a structural engineer at an architecture firm. One of his main ones there was the Denver Musuem of Modern Art. Check out it if you're ever in Denver. Anywhats, Tom asked my Mom, my Mom said yes, my Mom asked my Dad, my Dad said no, my Mom asked me and I said "heck yes!" A few weeks ago I had to get 5 shots for various illnesses you could catch in a sub-saharan country like Kenya: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A, B, Polio, Typhoid, Meningitis, and Malaria, those I have pills to take 2 days before I leave, the whole length of the trip and then a month after I get back. Fun! I also had to get a new passport because mine expired last year and truthfully, I hadn't expected to do much international travel this year so I put it on my back-burner but then this trip happened and voila! Good thing I did because there's also talk of going to South America and Berlin later this year for me. <br /> Okay, so, here is my itinerary for the trip. There's also an extra 3 days tacked on to the end where we'll be doing more safari. I'd like to say I want to climb Mt. Kenya or Kilimanjaro and I do but just not on this trip. I didn't take the time to acclimatize to altitudes and apply for permits and pack in gear and etc...This trip is part volunteer, part safari, part ukulele jam session with the locals. Oh yeah, they will know who Johnny Cash is when I leave Naro Moru, Kenya! <br /> <br />Here is the itinerary: <br /> <br /> June 13th :Nairobi drive to Mt Kenya<br /> June 14th, 15th and 16th:Naro Moru village and volunteer project<br /> June 17th and 18th:Lake Nakuru National Park<br /> June 19th, 20th and 21st:Masai Mara Natioinal Park<br /> June 22nd: Nairobi<br /> June 23rd:Fly to Malindi (the coast)<br /> June 24th and 25th: Malindi<br /> June 26th-29: Kikuyu Safari<br /> June 29-30: Travel safely back to Los Angeles<br /><br /> I will try hard to update when I can and post pics during the trip. Putting up pics might be the toughest because I'll probably be at internet cafes and those aren't always the best places to download and send pics from. Rest assured, when I get back though, tons of pictures will be at your viewing pleasure. Oh, if you can think of anything you want me to do while I'm there, let me know. The sillier and harder the better. Think of it more like things you dare me to do while I'm there. <br /> I've added a picture of all the things I am packing in my backpack. You can see for yourself but a few notables are: ukulele, frisbee, Hawaiian flip-flops, kazoo, Point to-it book, flask, US mags, ASU t-shirt, chico bag, ipod shuffle, GU chomps, Power Bars and Kleenex wet-wipes in case I can't get to a shower for a few days. <br /> Wish me luck and stay tuned for updates!<br /> Joshua Meindertsma June 9, 2011jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-13624797506850410492008-10-13T07:35:00.000-07:002008-10-14T01:09:49.158-07:00In Bruges. Literally!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SPRTs-Hs1VI/AAAAAAAAABs/QT6YThHZxA0/s1600-h/Brujasjm+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SPRTs-Hs1VI/AAAAAAAAABs/QT6YThHZxA0/s320/Brujasjm+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256918697102857554" border="0" /></a><br />So, this is my second night in Bruges after arriving last night from Amsterdam. I should say that Amsterdam was a lot of fun and I even got to perform improv at Boom Chicago with my friend James Kirkland. It was great! But now, I am in Bruges and nursing a slight cold that has rendered me a little weak. I walked around today, went up to the belfry to get a great view of the place. Had some cherry beer and am drinking a Hoegaarden now. Had a terrible nights sleeop at the Charlie Rocket Hostel. Don't ever stay there. I am at Snuffels right now, about to do my laundry, drink some more Belgian beer and take a little nap before I walk around and drink more beer and maybe eat a pizza or try some french fries. Ah, after this, it's a ferry to Dover and then I could either go north to Scotland, or up into London. We'll see what happens.jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-3167781515217111452008-10-06T13:43:00.000-07:002008-10-06T13:46:51.811-07:00Berlin NowI am staying in the Helter Skelter hostel and I can tell you, it lives up to the name. Rock music so loud it is shaking the beer on this small computer terminal. Oh man, I had 6 great days in Prague and believe it or not, only went into the city, 2 out of the 6 days. The rest were filled on the outskirts in Radotin and Tocnik. Went horseback riding, played Johnny Cash on the guitar for a Czech who was a big fan of old American country/western singers. Had a great time with my old pal Andy and his wife Jana and their 5 year old son Alfie. I will post pics of Prague and of Berlin where I will be for at least 2 nights before I head to either Hamburg or Amsterdam. Prost!jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-64521777094238592942008-09-29T08:05:00.000-07:002008-09-29T08:14:32.897-07:00Oktoberfest! Prost!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SODwwQWrXmI/AAAAAAAAABY/X_dVV3oLFCs/s1600-h/josh+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SODwwQWrXmI/AAAAAAAAABY/X_dVV3oLFCs/s320/josh+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251461877328469602" border="0" /></a><br />Wow, what do I include in this Oktoberfest post? I will say it was a lot of fun thanks to some nice girls that I met in one of the beer halls. We went on rides, ate food I couldn`t pronounce and all in all, did some other fun things. I will have to write more later because I am actually going back to the Wiesn right now and also to the Hoffbrauhaus tonight! Prost!jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-48925867700782994692008-09-27T08:54:00.000-07:002008-09-27T09:00:20.461-07:00Ljubljana, Slovenia. One day is plenty!I am at the Hostel Celica, a nice place just on the outskirts of the main part of town. I spent the whole day in this town, went to three galleries/museums, walked through a large festival and slept in the grass at the Tivoli gardens. All in all, I can say I've done a lot here. Not all of it of course. But enough to say I won't ever have to come back to this place and do that one thing they all say I have to do. I did not go to the castle. Shoot me. I walked among the locals and laughed with kids in the park. It is colder than I thought here. Yikes. Okay, no photo this time, I don't have my connection cord for the camera. Oh well, google the word ljubljana and that is where I am. Next time I write, I will be in Munich for Oktoberfest. I am taking the night train here at midnight so I won't have to get a hostel room. Smart, I know. I was lucky enough to share a couchette with three Swedish high-school girls on my way from Zagreb to here, so we'll see how this one goes. Ahoy!jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-44256707520496337632008-09-25T15:03:00.000-07:002008-09-26T12:00:02.154-07:00Hvar & Dubrovnik, Croatia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SNwMcN_hroI/AAAAAAAAABQ/wO5KuIM9kFQ/s1600-h/dubrov+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SNwMcN_hroI/AAAAAAAAABQ/wO5KuIM9kFQ/s320/dubrov+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250084944539135618" border="0" /></a><br />I am in a small internet cafe in Dubrovnik, just after midnight. I can hear the drunkards wail from the small but frequent bars on my busy little side street apartment. It can make going to bed hard. Otherwise, we had a great day today on our fish picnic. We went to the Helaphiti Islands. A small bunch of islands about an hours boat ride away from Dubrovnik. Not much to do on the islands but drink coffee and have old ladies try to sell you lavander and doilies. Seriously. It rained a little but we got to swim in a small bay that was unoccupied. In the summer I bet it is packed. Days before we had some nice times in Hvar hiking up to the castle walls, drinking and dancing at the Kiva Bar and just enjoying the peaceful surroundings. I am heading up to Split tomorrow and from there I will take a train to Munich for Oktoberfest. I will be sure to update the blog as well as add photos when I can. You can see lots more pics on facebook. Find me there or wait here for updates and photos. Oh, we had 'mexican food' tonight and needless to say, I've never had so much corn in my life! I think they think that's what is in mexican food. Some nice pinto beans would've been too much to ask!jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-85267344008211489882008-09-21T16:02:00.000-07:002008-09-21T16:15:04.499-07:00Bol, Croatia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SNbVXWHJPsI/AAAAAAAAABI/vEzQpK1cR9A/s1600-h/bol+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SNbVXWHJPsI/AAAAAAAAABI/vEzQpK1cR9A/s320/bol+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248617012796145346" border="0" /></a><br />Wow! This was our reward for the last few days of some grueling uphill climbs. Bol is a gorgeous place with crystal waters. I have been away from the internet for some time and wish I could write about the other places we have been to. Among them, Plitvice National Park, Split, Krka National Park, Trogir, Shibenik, Skradin, Postira. I will have to save them for when I get home and can gather my thoughts better. So far, we have been having a great trip with awesome weather! Had a rough climb today and yesterday here on the island of Brać. Tomorrow we will go to Hvar and finish the biking then. I wish the tour could last a few more days, if only because now I am getting my cycling legs. This island is known for limestone and some of it was used to build the White House in Washington D.C. The waters are cool and refreshing. Not as warm as in Hawaii but a lot clearer. The bike group is a great bunch of people and we are all getting along great! It is 1am here and I should get to bed because we have to have our bags packed and waiting for the van at 7,45am. I have been eating a lot of gelato, drinking lots of wine and raki and cosuming cheese and bread at an alarming rate. But, I keep telling myself I can work it off on the bike! We will see if I come back to the states as the same shape as when I left. Žvili!jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-10268801709188112722008-09-12T14:24:00.000-07:002008-09-12T14:39:11.552-07:00Zagreb! It's like one large high school!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SMrhTyAx05I/AAAAAAAAABA/aarTUZEZCUA/s1600-h/Picture+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245252445985166226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SMrhTyAx05I/AAAAAAAAABA/aarTUZEZCUA/s320/Picture+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Whew! Had a nice flight from Gatwick to Zagreb. My large backpack was taking a long time being unloaded and I, along with another gent who was missing a bag thought our bags didn't make the flight. I filled out a lost and found form and fretted about not ever seeing my underwear and old swimsuit ever again. But, just as we were leaving, we saw a man taking my bag to the lost and found and we snatched it up before it could say Pozor!!<br /><br />Zagreb is a nice if mostly flat and spread out city. We are staying one night in the Hotel Dubrovnik. If you're not staying at the Hotel Dubrovnik, you're just sleeping in some strange room for the night. After we checked in, my Mom and I walked to the main cathedrals and said our Hail Mary's and then walked around the town a little. I was struck by how young a majority of the people are here. It's also very sceney. It's like Dig Me Beach everywhere you look. If you are not familiar with that term, ask your dad or nearest older gent. We sat and watched the people, drank some nice Croatian beer and then later ate some pizza with corn on it. Yummm!<br /><br />For desert we walked around to this gelato place called Millenium. It's good, if not very flat and a bit too creamy gelato. I like a little ice in mine. But that's just me. It's raining as I type, we retired to our room and proceeded to watch some very Croatian television, Pretty Woman and Tommy Boy. Saturday we are headed to Plitvice National Park. A beautiful sight I am told with lots of hiking to do. I can't wait. Here's afew pics of Zagreb to keep you satiated until next time.</div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-38796551513295212152008-09-11T16:33:00.000-07:002008-09-12T14:24:27.609-07:00London in a Day<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SMrd7aGfc_I/AAAAAAAAAA4/klec-H2oaXg/s1600-h/Picture+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245248728714933234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SMrd7aGfc_I/AAAAAAAAAA4/klec-H2oaXg/s320/Picture+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>London is very manageable by foot. I don't know if you know this or not. The main parts can be reached by walking briskly and foregoing the pedestrian walking signals. Let's see, I woke up and from where I'm staying off of Tavistock Square, I walked down Southampton Row until I got to the River Thames. From there I walked South to Big Ben, Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Didn't feel like going inside the Abbey, so I walked thru St. James Park and up to Buckingham Palace. The guards were not changing today, so, I thumbed my nose at that and headed to Saville Row to pick out a suit, which much to my surprise, they didn't have my color. FYI: It's mauve with teal pinstripes. From there I went to the Royal Academy and walked in thru the back entrance and pretended to be a student, that is until a security guard asked me what I was doing and I said I was just following the kid in front of me. Which I was. I then went to the regualr entrance and saw some art from old English Masters. There was some nice work from John Medjeski as well. After that I went to Piccadilly Circus. Not really the circus I was hoping for. Although I did notice a Starbucks or two. After that I walked back to my place of rest off of Tavistock Square and began to read Choke by Chuck Palahniuk. I got 17 pages in until I met up with my Mom. She took a nap and I went back out to check out the Tate Modern Museum and the Globe Theatre. I'll have to go back to both in October to really get a better feel of them. On my way there I walked down Fleet Street and after the Tate I crossed the Millenium Bridge and stopped off at St. Paul's Cathedral. London is great for walking. I took pictures of a lot of junk that I'll be sure to post and that no one will look at but me in 4 months. I guess that's how traveling goes. It's only interesting for the traveller. That is unless you are Leigh Fermor. The greatest travel writer since Homer.<br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>Good day all. Whence next I'll post, I'll be in a waterside town in Croatia.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div></div>jmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5958812443260266777.post-12521112457527772952008-09-08T09:20:00.000-07:002008-09-08T09:30:37.553-07:00Europe Anew<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SMVTBBaMM_I/AAAAAAAAAAw/qnIACIrDgII/s1600-h/IMG_9013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_b6M0jOe6Vf8/SMVTBBaMM_I/AAAAAAAAAAw/qnIACIrDgII/s320/IMG_9013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243688618166072306" border="0" /></a><br />It's been almost two years to the date that I'll be returning back to Europe. The last time I went to Greece and Italy for my brother's wedding and this time I'm going on a bike trip in Croatia with my Mom. I'll be on my own for a majority of the trip, but the main reason for going was to spend some time with my Mom. After the trip I'll be going to, among other places: Munich, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, London, Romania, Bulgaria, and Istanbul.<br /><br />If you've been to any of those places and there are things there you think I should see, please let me know!<br /><br />Okay, this is just an introductory post to set up the rest of my travels. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'll be taking my ukulele with me to busk on the streets of Europe for money. I don't expect to get rich, but I do expect some interesting times.<br /><br />Here's to interesting times.<br /><br />Joshjmeinderthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11147811246457972259noreply@blogger.com1